12/27/2005Hudson Valley Community College Foundation Awards More than $100,000 in Scholarships to 86 Students

Twenty-three students also receive Second Chance Foundation Awards

The Hudson Valley Community College Foundation recently awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to 86 Hudson Valley students who are pursuing degrees in a variety of programs, including Civil Engineering Technology, Computer Information Systems, Environmental Studies, Dental Hygiene and Physical Education.

The Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable corporation formed in 1983 to philanthropically support the college's mission. Gifts to the Foundation from alumni, corporations and friends are used to enhance programs, facilities and scholarship opportunities at the college.

The scholarship awards ranged from $200 to full tuition. The current annual tuition at Hudson Valley Community College for full-time students who are New York State residents is $2,700. The scholarships were presented at the Foundation's fall scholarship reception, which was held on Dec. 5, at the Field House at the McDonough Sports Complex on the Hudson Valley campus.

Twenty-three of the 97 students who were honored received Second Chance Scholarships, made possible through a donation to the college's Foundation from the Second Chance Scholarship Foundation, which was established by Angelo and Kathleen Mastrangelo to provide scholarships to students who have overcome tremendous personal obstacles to continue their education.

The Second Chance Scholarship Foundation provides students up to $1,750 a semester to offset the cost of tuition, books and fees. The awards vary based on a student's final grades.

The Foundation also awarded 12 scholarships made possible through a $1 million gift made to the college in 2002 by the Athens Generating Company, a competitive merchant power producer located in Greene County .

The Athens gift funds two types of full-tuition scholarships: Presidential Scholarships, which are awarded on the basis of academic excellence to high school graduates pursuing any course of study at Hudson Valley, and Technology Scholarships, which are need-based and awarded to graduates pursuing degrees in the college's School of Engineering and Industrial Technologies or degrees in Computer Information Systems or Environmental Studies.

The scholarship recipients are:

Albany County

Jesse Andrews of Albany , an Individual Studies student, received a Second Chance Scholarship.

Masai Andrews of Albany, an Individual Studies student, received a Second Chance Scholarship.

Yaa Asare of Albany , an Individual Studies student, received a Second Chance Scholarship and a $440 John O. Amstuz Scholarship, which is given to students who have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher.

Janet Balogh of Albany , a Criminal Justice student, received a Second Chance Scholarship.

Brendan Barasch of Albany received a $500 Faculty/Staff Endowment Scholarship for Dependents of Hudson Valley Community College faculty and staff; recipients must have a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher. He is a Business Administration student.

Shawn Brevard of Albany , a Chemical Dependency Counseling student, received a Second Chance Scholarship.

Jazmine Carlton of Albany received a $250 Diversity Honors Scholarship, which is given to students who have demonstrated high academic achievement but may be considered at-risk due to socioeconomic circumstances. Carlton is studying Accounting.

Joshua Comitale of Albany received a $500 Troy Police Sgt. Michael Blair Scholarship, which is given to students who have a spouse or parent employed by the Troy Police Department.

Laura Crandall of Glenmont received a $360 Hudson Valley Community College Scholarship, which is given to students who have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher. Crandall is studying Human Services.

Brenda DeJesus of Slingerlands received a $250 Diversity Honors Scholarship, which is given to students who have demonstrated high academic achievement but may be considered at-risk due to socioeconomic circumstances. DeJesus is enrolled in the Early Childhood program.

Nyree Dickson of Albany received a $785 Elizabeth K. Ripple Memorial Scholarship, which is given to students in the Respiratory Care program.

Anita Fallen of Albany received a $360 Hudson Valley Community College Scholarship, which is given to students who have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher. Fallen is a Human Services student.

Diana Fernandez of Cohoes , a Chemical Dependency Counseling student, received a Second Chance Scholarship.

Angela Ferro of Albany received a $365 Cathy Hunter-Roberts Scholarship, which is given to students who have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. Ferro is a Business student.

Joshua Frank of Glenmont received a $1,100 Steven Sultan Scholarship, which is given to student-athletes who are in their senior year and have a minimum grade-point average of 2.75. Frank is studying Engineering Science, and he is a pitcher on the college's baseball team.

Stephanie Fudge of Green Island received a $250 Christopher Drabik Memorial Scholarship, which was available to Paramedic and Nursing students who have a minimum grade-point average of 2.0. Fudge is studying Nursing.

Jose Havens of Cohoes received an Otto V. Guenther Scholarship, which provides assistance for educational expenses up to the cost of full tuition to students studying either Nursing or Physical Education; Havens is studying Physical Education.

Yolanda S. Hunter of Albany , a Chemical Dependency Counseling student, received a Second Chance Scholarship.

Monique Iannone of Watervliet received a $785 Elizabeth K. Ripple Scholarship, which is given to students in the Respiratory Care program.

Lamont James of Albany , a Chemical Dependency Counseling student, received a Second Chance Scholarship.

Jumone S. Johnson of Albany , a Human Services student, received a Second Chance Scholarship.

Michelle Kallenburg of Colonie received a $425 Alumni Legacy Scholarship, which is given to students who are children or grandchildren of alumni and have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0. Kallenburg is studying Liberal Arts and Science: Mathematics and Science.

Nickolas Kossman of Altamont received a $500 Faculty/Staff Endowment Scholarship for Dependents of Hudson Valley Community College faculty and staff; recipients must have a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher. Kossman is enrolled in the Individual Studies program.

Anh Le of Albany, a Mathematics and Science student, received a Second Chance Scholarship; a $250 Diversity Honors Scholarship, which is given to students who have demonstrated high academic achievement but may be considered at-risk due to socioeconomic circumstances; and a $500 Faculty Student Association Scholarship, which is given to students who have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher.

Sarah E. Lutzy of Glenmont, a Human Services student, received a Second Chance Scholarship.

Michael McGaugh of Cohoes received a $250 Faculty Student Association Scholarship for Non-Matriculated Students. He is studying chemistry and biology in preparation for entering the doctor of pharmacy program at the Albany College of Pharmacy.

Tanzania McLeod of Albany, a Radiologic Technology student, received a Second Chance Scholarship.

Sarah McMillen of Altamont received an Otto V. Guenther Scholarship, which provides assistance for educational expenses up to the cost of full tuition to students studying either Nursing or Physical Education; McMillen is studying Physical Education.

Michael Miller of Green Island , a Computer Integrated Technology student, received a Second Chance Scholarship and a $250 Diversity Honors Scholarship, which is given to students who have demonstrated high academic achievement but may be considered at-risk due to socioeconomic circumstances.

Marilyn Y. Mohammed of Albany , a Chemical Dependency Counseling student, received a Second Chance Scholarship.

Rahkeem Morris of Albany received a $300 Parents' Fund Scholarship, which is given to students who have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 and show a strong commitment to their family and/or community.

Matthew Mulson of East Berne received the Senator Joseph L. Bruno Public Service Scholarship, which provides assistance for educational expenses up to the cost of full tuition to students who plan to pursue a career in public service. Mulson is currently studying Criminal Justice but also is considering working toward a degree in Nursing.

Shavina Richardson-Aiken of Cohoes received a $500 Faculty Student Association Scholarship, which is given to students who have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher; and a $250 Diversity Honors Scholarship, which is given to students who have demonstrated high academic achievement but may be considered at-risk due to socioeconomic circumstances. She is studying Human Services.

Aracelis Rios of Albany , an Administrative Information Technician student, received a Second Chance Scholarship.

Caitlin Schermerhorn of Latham, a Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technical Services student, received an Athens Technology Scholarship.

Daria Scholten of Albany received a $250 Faculty Student Association Scholarship for Non-Matriculated Students. She is working toward her ultimate goal of earning a master's degree in business administration/accounting.

Danielle J. Smith of Albany , an Individual Studies student, received a Second Chance Scholarship.

Darrell Smith of Albany , an Electrical Construction and Maintenance student, received a Second Chance Scholarship.

John C. Vance of Albany , a Human Services student, received a Second Chance Scholarship.

Michelle Villeneuve of East Berne , a Civil Engineering Technology student, received an Athens Technology Scholarship.

Dorothea Weisinger of Menands, a Chemical Dependency Counseling student, received a Second Chance Scholarship and a $620 Patty Walsh '92 Memorial Scholarship, which is given to students who show promise in the Human Services field, particularly working with handicapped individuals.

Linda Willis of Voorheesville received a $425 Class of '93 Scholarship, which is given to students who have a minimum grade-point average of 2.0. Willis is currently enrolled in the Individual Studies program and plans to transfer to the Nursing program.

Columbia County

Michelle Bornhorst of Old Chatham received a $1,000 Aimee Lynn Pyskadlo Memorial Scholarship, which is given to students who have a strong determination to succeed academically. Bornhorst is working toward certification as a Computer Software Applications Specialist.

Keisha Ferguson of Hudson received a $500 Faculty Student Association Scholarship, which is given to students who have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher. She is an Individual Studies student.

Greene County

Jeffrey Koonz of Coxsackie, a Criminal Justice student, received an Athens Presidential Scholarship.

Melissa Reese of Accord received a $250 Diversity Honors Scholarship, which is given to students who have demonstrated high academic achievement but may be considered at-risk due to socioeconomic circumstances. Reese is a Dental Hygiene student.

Ryan Ricci of Freehold received an Athens Technology Scholarship and a $1,000 Albany Rods & Kustoms Inc. Scholarship, which is given to students enrolled in an Automotive Technology program and have maintained a minimum grade-point average of 3.0. Ricci is enrolled in the Automotive Technical Services-General Motors program.

Queens County

Dean Messias of Jamaica received a $925 Kenneth P. LaCorte Memorial
Scholarship, which is given to a student enrolled in a Technology program or the Electrical Construction and Maintenance program. Messias is studying Electrical Construction and Maintenance.

Rensselaer County

Abigail Berryman of Petersburg received a $250 Faculty Student Association Scholarship for Non-Matriculated Students. She is working toward a goal of earning a doctoral degree in physical therapy.

Jesse Boyce of Hudson Falls received an Otto V. Guenther Scholarship, which provides assistance for educational expenses up to the cost of full tuition to students studying either Nursing or Physical Education, and a $500 Faculty Student Association Scholarship. Boyce is studying Nursing.

Bonnie Callahan of Rensselaer received an Otto V. Guenther Scholarship, which provides assistance for educational expenses up to the cost of full tuition to students studying either Nursing or Physical Education; and a $750 Richard Dinn Memorial Scholarship, which is given to nursing students who have completed their first-year requirements with a grade-point average of at least 2.5.

Stefanie Casale of Wynantskill received the $500 Dr. Anthony M. DeBonis Health Services Scholarship, which is given to students in one of the following programs: Nursing, Respiratory Care, Radiologic Technology, Dental Hygiene or Paramedic. Casale is a non-matriculated student who plans to study Dental Hygiene.

Marjorie Calhoun of Hoosick Falls , a Mathematics and Science student, received an Athens Presidential Scholarship.

Dominic DiFranzo of Schaghticoke received the $500 Faculty/Staff Endowment Scholarship for Dependents of Hudson Valley Community College; recipients must have a minimum grade-point average of 2.0. DiFranzo is studying Liberal Arts and Science: Mathematics and Science.

LaJoan Donley of Troy , a Business Administration student, received an Athens Presidential Scholarship.

Bryan Fong of Wynantskill received a $1,500 Frank J. Ryan '69 Memorial Scholarship, which is given to students in any area of study who have maintain a minimum grade-point average of 2.5.

Tricia Gibbs of Troy received an Otto V. Guenther Scholarship, which provides assistance for educational expenses up to the cost of full tuition to students studying either Nursing or Physical Education; she is studying Nursing.

Kyle Harmon of Troy received a $1,000 Aimee Lynn Pyskadlo Memorial Scholarship, which is given to students who have a strong determination to succeed academically. Harmon is studying Computer Information Systems.

Michael Hart of East Greenbush received a $655 Raymond J. Stastny Memorial Scholarship, which is given to seniors in the Criminal Justice program; preference is given to a student involved in either intercollegiate or intramural athletics.

Elisa Holland of Troy received a $365 Cathy Hunter-Roberts Scholarship, which is given to students who maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. She is a Civil Engineering Technology student.

Joe Kelly of Wynantskill received a $1,000 Michael D. Tisenchek Memorial Scholarship, which is given to first-year students enrolled in the Automotive Technical Services program and have a minimum grade-point average of 2.75.

Beth Passineau of Rensselaer received a $500 Faculty/Staff Endowment Scholarship for Dependents of Hudson Valley Community College faculty and staff; recipients must have a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher. Passineau is studying Human Services.

Laura Roberts of Melrose received the $1,000 Rensselaer County Association of Town Superintendents of Highways Scholarship, which is given to students from Rensselaer County who are studying Civil Engineering Technology.

Kayleigh Schlotter of Rensselaer received the Senator Joseph L. Bruno Public Service Scholarship, which provides assistance for educational expenses up to the cost of full tuition to students who plan to pursue a career in public service. Schlotter is studying Criminal Justice and would like to work in the Behavioral Analyst Unit of the FBI.

Joshua Stern of Rensselaer received a $400 Marine Sergeant William D. Powers Scholarship, which is given to students who are Marine reservists; those serving in the 2 nd Battalion, 25 th Marines are given preference. Stern is studying Business Administration.

Kyle Weichold of East Schodack , a Computer Integrated Technology student, received an Athens Technology Scholarship.

Irina Yeremeyeva of Troy received a $250 Diversity Honors Scholarship, which is given to students who have demonstrated high academic achievement but may be considered at-risk due to socioeconomic circumstances. She is studying Dental Hygiene.

Jamie Zalinka of Troy received the $385 Kevin H. Davidson Memorial Scholarship, which is given to students who demonstrate a strong determination to succeed academically. Zalinka is an Individual Studies student.

Saratoga County

Maria LaBate of Clifton Park received a $500 Faculty/Staff Endowment Scholarship for Dependents of Hudson Valley Community College faculty and staff; recipients must have a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher. LaBate is an Individual Studies student.

Mery R. Weeden of Clifton Park , a Human Services student, received a Second Chance Scholarship.

Schenectady County

Regina Allen of Schenectady received a $250 Diversity Honors Scholarship, which is given to students who have demonstrated high academic achievement but may be considered at-risk due to socioeconomic circumstances. Allen is studying Criminal Justice.

Richard D. Bordeau of Schenectady , an Individual Studies student, received a Second Chance Scholarship.

Ravi Peters of Schenectady received a $300 Continuing Education Scholarship, which is given to students who are part-time, non-matriculated, non-traditional students who have a minimum grade-point average of 2.0; recipients must have completed 12 credit hours. Peters is studying Dental Hygiene.

Nadine Pretious of Schenectady received a $500 Automobilists of the Upper Hudson Valley Scholarship in memory of John A. English, which is given to second-year students who have a minimum grade-point average of 2.5 and are enrolled in the Automotive Technical Services program. Pretious is enrolled in the Automotive Technical Services-General Motors program.

Paul Williams of Schenectady received a $250 Diversity Honors Scholarship, which is given to students who have demonstrated high academic achievement but may be considered at-risk due to socioeconomic circumstances. Williams is enrolled in the Individual Studies program.

Schoharie County

Sandy Brooker of Central Bridge , a Respiratory Care student, received a Second Chance Scholarship.

Mathew Molinaro of Kingston received a $925 Kenneth P. LaCorte
Memorial Scholarship, which is given to a student enrolled in a Technology program or the Electrical Construction and Maintenance program. Molinaro is studying Civil Engineering Technology.

Washington County

Virginia Osgood of Hudson Falls received a $500 Jack Falvo Memorial Scholarship, which was available to Automotive Technical Services students with a minimum grade-point average of 2.0. She is enrolled in the Automotive Technical Services-General Motors program.

Warren County

Jesse Howard of Queensbury received an Otto V. Guenther Scholarship, which provides assistance for educational expenses up to the cost of full tuition to students studying either Nursing or Physical Education; Howard is studying Physical Education.

Founded in 1953, Hudson Valley Community College offers more than 60 degree and certificate programs in four academic divisions: Liberal Arts and Sciences; Engineering and Industrial Technologies; Health Sciences; and Business; and workforce and academic preparation programs offered by the Educational Opportunity Center.